The sport of Indoor Rowing was created in 1981 when Concept2 developed its first rowing machine and, within a year, the first race had taken place. Over the past few years, Indoor Rowing has become a popular sport in its own right.

Hundreds of indoor rowing races are now held around the world each year, including the 2024 World Rowing Indoor Championships presented by Concept2.

Indoor racing is open to anyone—you don’t have to be a champion. We encourage everyone to consider participating in a race, or at least coming to watch one. It makes for a great training in this exciting low impact sport.

Most races take place over the Olympic regatta distance of 2000 meters, and there are recognized age group records for this and a number of other distances.